NTD Patent and Trademark Agency is widely regarded as one of the leading IP firms in China. "NTD is one of the few firms that I would regard as a real competitor," admits a partner from a rival firm. The outfit is constantly praised for its high-quality work. Established in 1987, NTD is among the first to be approved by the government to represent foreign clients for patent and trade mark work. It is headquartered in Hong Kong, with offices in Beijing and Shanghai and representative offices in Washington DC, Silicon Valley, Germany, France and Japan.